The Flow: Pepsi bottler talks go flat; PBG buys a bottler

From Beverage Spectrum Magazine: Cheaper Kids’ Beverages? Try It. Bring down the price and you might find consumers more willing to gamble Link

The New York Post reported that merger talks between PepsiCo and The Pepsi Bottling Group have gone flat. Link

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. announced that it has completed its acquisition of Better Beverages, Ltd. Better Beverages is a Pepsi-Cola and Dr Pepper franchised bottler that serves portions of central Texas. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

ON THE SHELVES

HealthSpan Solutions LLC announced the launch of BeneVia fruit-based nutrition drink with nutrients to help consumers stay healthy and active as they age. Link

Nutrisoda launched new flavors and packaging, targeting the Minneapolis/St. Paul and San Diego markets. Link

Boowl Americas has launched its new BOOWL SURPRISE products in the U.S. Link

DISTRIBUTION

Crunk!!! Energy Drink announced that Xtra Mart has authorized Crunk!!! Pomegranate, Citrus, and Grape-Acai to be carried in 148 stores in the Northeast. All sku’s will begin being placed into sets starting as early as July 1st.

PepsiCo won the distribution rights contract at Western Carolina University, displacing the school’s former supplier, Coca-Cola. Link

Danone SA set the terms Friday for a share issue which seeks to raise $4.16 billion in new capital. Link

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. announced that it has raised its second quarter and 2009 earnings guidance. Link

TRENDS AND STUDIES

A study published in Pediatrics found that teenagers don’t sleep enough, due to text messaging and caffeine. Link

Results of a new study published in the journal Molecular Systems Biology show probiotics have a tangible effect on metabolism. Link

A new study from James Madison University presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting found that post-exercise consumption of lowfat chocolate milk provides equal or possibly superior muscle recovery compared to a high-carbohydrate recovery beverage with the same amount of calories. Link

DEALS

AquaGenus announced an agreement with Trace Minerals Research to include their all-natural, ionic minerals in AquaHydrate bottled water. Link

IN THE MEDIA

Brandweek published an article on Sunkist Soda’s new “12 ounces of awesome” campaign. Link

The Dallas Morning News published a profile of ViB, the brain-child of a pair of Dallas entrepreneurs. Link

BRAND MARKETING & PROMOTION

Dr Pepper debuted a new commercial in its “Trust me, I’m a doctor,” series, this one featuring Dr. Dre. Link

The National Milk Mustache “got milk?” Campaign and USA TODAY awarded the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache Athlete of the Year Award to 25 high school athletes. Link

The PepsiCo Foundation has awarded a five-year, $1 million grant to the Purchase College Foundation for the Baccalaureate and Beyond Center at Purchase College. Link

INTERNATIONAL

Following German reports of trace amounts of cocaine in Red Bull‘s Simply Cola, China’s Xinhua news agency reported that the Jordanian government ordered Red Bull to remove all of its products from the Jordanian market. Link

Full Motion Beverage, Inc. announced the appointment of Vincent Butta as its new CEO and President. Link

ETC.

PepsiCo was reported to cease donating products to God’s Pit Crew, a faith-based disaster relief organization, because the organization has the word “God” in their name. Link. The company quickly renewed its sponsorship following news that the relationship had ended. Link

A Gatorade dispenser in the Chicago Cubs dugout will be removed after starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano took a bat to the machine. Link

An Associated Press review of Utah state finance records shows that Utah state agencies, excluding public colleges and universities, have spent more than $220,000 on bottled water since July. Link

Coca-Cola Co and illycaffe SpA said they expect coffee drinkers around the world to buy their new canned coffee, illy issimo, despite a global economic slowdown. Link

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